"The Bishop from Beijing" article in National Review Online states:
...In late December, Chinese police arrested nine priests in the underground (which is to say legitimate) Catholic Church after they had gathered to pray.
A few weeks before, Beijing ordained Father Wang Renlei as bishop in the China Catholic Patriotic Association, or “patriotic church.” Puppet church would do better. The Vatican, of course, has not sanctioned Father Wang’s ascension.
Nevertheless, Liu Bainian, vice president of the government’s church, argued that “this election is legal and valid.” After all, “a church cannot exist without a bishop.”
Roughly 40 of 97 dioceses in China don’t have bishops, yet the Church has not been derelict in its duties. The Chinese government has outlawed the genuine church and arrests its clerics and laymen alike....
After the Vatican criticized the Chinese government for its latest attempted hijacking of the Catholic Church, Beijing opined: “If the Vatican really cares about the cause of China’s Catholic churches, there should, naturally, be understanding and support” from the Vatican for the government’s actions. But if the Communist authorities actually cared for their people, they would leave the choice of bishops to the Catholic Church. Alas, there is no evidence that the communist government cares about the Chinese people, especially their right to believe and worship as they see fit.
The Holy See has good reason to continue talking to the PRC. But the former also has good reason to be cautious about the risk of sacrificing fundamental interests for superficial gains. Until the Communist authorities demonstrate their willingness to accept freedom of conscience and worship, there won’t be much for Beijing and the Vatican to discuss.
Tom Barnett comments in his post "China can't control its 'cults:'
China's religious scene is already too diverse for the Party to try and co-opt one "official faith" (the sad problem of the Middle East--including Israel), but the CCP may well try that path eventually.
But expect the CCP to continue to try and control church leadership selections (like it does with Catholics). Will this grant them control over the faithful? Didn't work for the dictatorial John Paul II with American Catholics (okay, most American Catholics), so why would we expect it to go any better with Beijing?
Religion is about group control only in hard economic times. Once you go from Gap to Core, then it becomes increasingly about individual fulfillment.
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